METEOROLOGY. 673 



events and cliniatal euvironnieuts. The first is coucerned cliiefly with 

 observations, and the other with experiments and philosophy. In the 

 present paper it is the intention merely to indicate i)ractical methods 

 to be ])nrsned in taking? notes which shall have a permanent valne. 



The observer should take one or more of the following subjects, 

 restricting himself to a definite line of inquiry: "To determine (1) the 

 general oncoming of spring, (L*) the fitful or variable features of spring, 

 (3) the epoch of the full activity of the advancing season, (4) the 

 active physiological epoch of the year, (5) the maturation of the season, 

 (G) the oncoming of the decline of fall, (7) the approach of winter, 

 (8) the features of the winter epoch, and (9) the fleeting or fugitive 

 epochs of the year.'' 



In selecting plants, those which are convenient for observation year 

 by year, and which will give unequivocal periods, should be chosen. 

 The author quotes Hoffmann's essentials of phenological observations^ 

 as follows : 



''(1) As broad a distribution as possible of the given species selected for obser- 

 vation. 



•'(2) Ease and certainty of identifying tbe definite pbases which are to be observed. 



"(3) The utility of the observations as regards biological questions, such as the 

 vegetative periods, time of ripening, etc. 



"(4) Representation of the entire period of vegetation. 



"(5) Consideration of those species which are found in almost all published 

 observations, and especially of those whose development is not inliuenced by 

 momentary or accidental-circumstances.'' 



In general, the events which determine the epochs should be observed 

 upon a definite and well-chosen set of plants of limited number, and it 

 is important that the dates should represent the average epoch and 

 not the very first bloom or leaf upon some individual early plant. In 

 choosing dates for record the scheme proposed by Hoffmann, which is 

 essentially that of Linnaeus, is recommended, namely, (1) upper sur- 

 face of the leaf first visible or spread open, (2) first blossom open, 

 (3) first fruit ripe, (4) all leaves, or more than half of them, colored. 



In choosing the plants for observation care must be taken to select 

 typical average plants which are not unduly exposed either to heat or 

 cold, moisture or dryness. The observer should always state whether 

 the plant is in wild or cultivated grounds. The author considers it 

 best to take notes upon 2 or 3 typical individuals and then average 

 the results. The methods pursued by Hoffmann and other German 

 phenologists are shown by quotations from their records. 



The author suggests a list of plants upon which observations may 

 be taken in this country. This list, which is not intended to be com- 

 plete, embraces plants for observations in New England and New 

 York, as follows: Apple, ])ear, <|uince, plum, sweet cherry, sour cherry, 

 peach, chokoclierry {Pninu.s riy(/iniana), wild black cherry [P.-scrotina), 

 Japanese or flowering quince {Pyrus japonica), cultivated raspberry, 



' Phiinologische IJeobaclitungen aus den ,)ahreu 1879-'82. 



